PLANNERS have been swamped with objections to a controversial £135 million scheme to build a waste-to-energy plant in Keighley.

Over 2,700 people have signed an online petition and more than 300 individual comments have been submitted to Bradford Council.

Keighley and Bingley town councils are also both opposing the venture, earmarked for the derelict former gasworks site at Marley.

And others which have formally objected include Keighley Picture House, which has voiced fears about air pollution and potential damage to the area's tourism trade.

Many opponents cite concerns about the effect on health of emissions, as well as the visual impact of the project.

Under the venture, two units for recycling waste are planned for the Airedale Road plot, together with an education and visitor centre as well as office accommodation.

Already-processed commercial and industrial waste would be brought to the complex.

Planning permission has already been given for the plant, alongside the Aire Valley trunk road.

But campaigners say a new application, for some changes plus the construction of a data centre and battery store in Dalton Lane, give a new opportunity for the local authority to act.

Keighley town councillor Andrea Walker, who lives at nearby Riddlesden, is among those against the development.

"I'm all for 'green' schemes but I am concerned about the possible effects of this on the environment and people's health," she said.

"The Marley site is totally the wrong place for this kind of plant. It is far too close to residential areas."

Bingley Town Council's planning committee decided this month to object.

"There are concerns about the output from the incinerator," said clerk Ruth Batterley.

She added: "The proposed development will be a large construction, visible for miles around the site. It will interfere with the visual amenity of the surrounding area."

Councillors also expressed concern about the number of large vehicles which would be using the site and a lack of information with the application.

David Pedrick, manager at the Picture House in North Street, said: "Tourism in Keighley would be affected due to the pollution and eyesore and therefore my business would suffer.

"The health of myself and my staff is likely to be seriously affected, especially on days when the wind blows towards the cinema."

District councillor Malcolm Slater, whose Keighley East ward includes the site, said he would be happy to speak on behalf of residents when the application goes to committee.

"When the two previous applications were considered by the regulatory committee I spoke on behalf of opponents who live in The Croft – very near the site," he said.

"When the current application goes to that committee – which could be well into next year – I would, if asked, speak again for these constituents."

The scheme does also have its supporters.

The Airedale Partnership has given its backing, for the project's benefits to the local economy and the employment opportunities it would create.

But it adds: "Because of the nature of the operation and its location, it is vital that any adverse environmental impacts are mitigated and continue to be monitored."

And Keighley MP Kris Hopkins has previously welcomed it.

John Steel, of JO Steel Consulting, agent for the developer, was contacted by the Keighley News for comment this week but hadn't responded at the time of going to press.

The applicant has stated nearly 500 jobs would be created, a figure questioned by opponents.

And at a consultation session in the summer, independent consultant Dr Mark Broomfield – of Ricardo Energy and Environment – moved to reassure residents over emissions.

He said extremely strict controls must be adhered to and emissions would be monitored continuously to ensure they complied with standards.